Andy Richter Book Reveals Chris Farley Was Once Attached to Elf
Richter's Elf Unwrapped also says Katie Holmes was offered the role of Jovie and that two sequels were scrapped.
Andy Richter has written a behind-the-scenes book about Elf titled Elf Unwrapped, in which he says Chris Farley was attached to the film at one point before Will Ferrell was cast as Buddy. Richter discussed the book in an interview with collider.com.
According to Richter, Katie Holmes was originally offered the role of Jovie, the part that went to Zooey Deschanel. Selma Blair was also considered for a version of Jovie who rode a skateboard, he said.
Richter, who played Morris, a writer at Greenway Press, in the Jon Favreau-directed film, also says a raunchier version of Elf exists, driven by the success of Old School. Ferrell's comedy Old School was released in theaters during filming of Elf in 2003, prompting talk of that alternate take.
He further says two Elf sequels were scrapped. Richter spent two years researching the film's history for the book.
Elf was released in 2003 and starred Ferrell as Buddy.
Quick answers
What is Andy Richter's book about Elf called?
The book is titled Elf Unwrapped and covers the behind-the-scenes history of the 2003 film.
Who was originally offered the role of Jovie in Elf?
According to Richter, Katie Holmes was originally offered the role, which went to Zooey Deschanel.
Was Chris Farley ever attached to Elf?
Richter says Farley was attached to the film at one point before Will Ferrell was cast as Buddy.